HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka, (CMC – JOHANN Layne produced a fiery spell to rattle Sri Lanka Emerging Players, but an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 82 between Anjala Bandara and Pulindu Perera steered the hosts to 173 for five at stumps on the third day of their four-day contest against West Indies Academy here on Wednesday.
At the close at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Emerging led by 148 runs overall after being set 382 for victory.
They finished the day on 173 for five in their second innings, following a first-innings total of 356.
West Indies Academy, resuming from their overnight 273 for five, posted 381 in their first knock, securing a slender 25-run lead, thanks largely to Rivaldo Clarke’s superb 127.
The Academy captain, who had been unbeaten on 72 at the end of day two, added 55 runs to his tally before becoming the seventh wicket to fall with the score on 379.
Clarke faced 218 deliveries, striking 11 fours and one six, before he was caught by Chamod Battage off the bowling of Shakthi Udara.
Udara was the tormentor-in-chief for Sri Lanka, finishing with outstanding figures of six for 102 from 29.4 overs. Nisala Abeyratne supported with two for 76.
Layne, who had already made a valuable 35 with the bat, then turned the match on its head with the ball.
The pacer tore through Sri Lanka’s top order, reducing the home side to a precarious 46 for four at one stage.
Ravindu Rashantha fell early for two, caught by Mavendra Dindyal off Jediah Blades. Layne then struck twice in quick succession, trapping Asitha Wanninayake lbw for 14 before bowling captain Dinura Kalupahana for 25.
Sahan Kosala became Layne’s third victim, caught by Shaqkere Parris for just one, as the scoreboard read a worrying 46 for four.
Sarujan Sammuganathen offered brief resistance, making 11 before he was caught and bowled by Ryan Bandoo, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 91 for five.
But from the depths of trouble, Bandara and Perera mounted a resolute fightback. Wicketkeeper Bandara, remained unbeaten on 57, while Perera finished the day not out on 50.
Their unbroken 82-run partnership not only steadied the innings but shifted the momentum back towards the home side heading into the final day.
Layne ended the day with three for 34 from his nine overs.
